Santa Barbara Open Beach Volleyball Tournament Set to Stir Nostalgia with Expanded Field
Santa Barbara, CA – July 5, 2025 – The Santa Barbara Open men’s and women’s beach volleyball tournaments are poised to evoke a sense of nostalgia this weekend as competition begins Sunday at East Beach. Celebrating it’s 75th edition for men and 72nd for women, the tournament boasts an expanded field including past champions, local standouts, and current collegiate players [[1]].
Originally gaining prominence in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s as a beloved event on the Southern California parks and recreation circuit, this year’s tournament will feature 30 teams in both the men’s and women’s divisions. Tournament director and beach volleyball hall of Famer Dane Selznick highlighted the event’s history, noting his mother competed in the inaugural women’s tournament in 1953, finishing fifth. His father,Gene Selznick,holds the record for most men’s titles with nine wins [[2]]. Kathy Gregory dominates the women’s side with seven open titles.
A $2,000 prize pool will be awarded in each gender, as the tournament forms part of Santa Barbara’s annual Semana Nautica Sports Festival.Top Seeds & Local Talent:
Women: Gianna Guinasso/Taylor Stover are the top-seeded team, with Stover currently coaching at Providence High School.
Men: David Updegrove/Zac Pittard lead the men’s bracket, with Pittard being a former SBCC indoor volleyball player.
Local Rising Stars: San Marcos High senior Cora Loomer and partner Kara namimatsu (Redondo Union) are seeded second in the women’s division,fresh off a fifth-place finish at the Mission Beach Open.
established Players: Dos Pueblos alum Katie Spieler will compete with cousin Torrey Van Winden, aiming to replicate their back-to-back Santa Barbara titles from 2014-15 and their seventh-place finish at the AVP Manhattan beach Open last year. Other local players to watch include Portia Sherman and Jessyca Beksa.
The Santa Barbara Open promises a weekend of competitive volleyball and a party of the sport’s rich history in the region
